The Howelsen Hill Rodeo Grounds, Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series and Brent A. Romick Arena at 401 Howelsen Parkway has been designated as a local landmark by the city’s Historic Preservation Commission as part of the Steamboat Springs Register of Historic Places.

The May 11 designation recognizes the local importance of the rodeo grounds as a local landmark and cultural and Western heritage site with over 100 years of colorful history.

“The rodeo grounds are an example of the true history of Steamboat,” said Steamboat Pro Rodeo Series Chairman Brent Romick. “Knowing that we have a permanent home makes everything easier.”

The historic designation cements the rodeo’s location at the base of Howelsen Hill and allows organizers to more easily secure funding.

Whether through fundraising, grants or donations, Romick expects dollars brought in to double or even triple.

“Ranching and agriculture is the crux of the city,” said City Historic Preservation Planner Caitlin Berube-Smith. “Historic designations allows the structures to serve the city for years to come and celebrate Western heritage.”

Evolution and change

Steamboat Springs and its rodeo have been intertwined and evolved together since the first publicized mention of a rodeo in the Steamboat Pilot in 1898.

The town grew out of a growing cattle industry and where there are cattle, there are cowboys and cowgirls who want to show their skills.

By the turn of the century the rodeo was taking place on Lincoln Avenue, and in 1908 it moved to the current location. At first, horses and makeshift fences ringed the arena, with the design eventually updated to accommodate cars.

The Pro Rodeo Series had its genesis in 1988, sealing the relationship between the town and its rodeo.

“By securing historic designation we are cementing the DNA of the rodeo in town,” said Romick. “We’re blessed to be at one of the best locations in town and it deserves its historic designation.”

Despite nonprofit status, the rodeo was subject to a use tax for capital improvements. With landmark designation from the city, the pro rodeo can secure a rebate of local sales and use tax declared for materials on physical work to the site.

“It relieves some of the pressure that we feel as a nonprofit,” said Romick, “and opens up new avenues that we can use to secure funding and keep the rodeo going.”

Romick and his team plan to leverage the historic designation into applying for grants and donations that were not previously available.

“Cultural places are rooted in change,” said Berube-Smith. “It important to note that this allows the arena to continue to change and evolve to serve the rodeo. There is a myth that historic designation eliminates change and that is just not true.”

The earliest still-standing structure is the cobblestone ticket booth pillar and wall erected in 1934. It was built alongside another as a part of the new gateway structure.

The metal grandstands were erected as one piece of a larger capital improvements project in 1990 that saw the arena named in Romick’s honor. The concrete grandstands were constructed beginning in 1935 by the Works Progress Administration as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal.

“The grounds have never been static,” said Romick. “As times change, it changes. Rodeos are constantly evolving with the times as events’ popularity increases or decreases and this is the next step of that.”

The next step for Romick is to keep expanding the entertainment offerings and start capital improvement projects that keep the grounds in top shape.

“Rodeo is not going anywhere,” said Romick. “It’s an industry that’s constantly evolving but never dying.”

This year’s pro rodeo series kicks off June 19, with events every Friday and Saturday night through Aug. 29. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and competition starts at 7:30.

“The grounds will be there when our grandchildren’s grandchildren are learning to calf rope and ride horses,” said Romick. “The spirit of the rodeo will endure.”